1
|
Patamia V, Fiorenza R, Zagni C, Agustin-Salazar S, Scirè S, Floresta G, Rescifina A. TiO 2/Loofah-Halloysite Bio-Hybrid Composites as Efficient Systems for VOCs Removal. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202304276. [PMID: 38345891 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202304276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), recognized as hazardous air contaminants, prompt the exploration of sustainable air purification methods. Solar photocatalytic oxidation emerges as a promising solution, utilizing semiconductor photocatalysts like titanium dioxide (TiO2). However, the raw material crisis necessitates reduced TiO2 usage, leading to investigations into TiO2 modification techniques. The study introduces a novel approach by employing natural fibers, specifically loofah sponge, as a TiO2 support. This method aims to maintain photocatalytic activity while minimizing TiO2 content. The article explores using halloysite, a natural clay mineral, as a supportive material, enhancing mechanical strength and adsorption properties. The resulting TiO2/loofah-halloysite composites are evaluated for their efficacy in gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation of toluene and ethanol, chosen as representative VOCs. The conversion of toluene and ethanol on the composite was 88 % and 39 %, respectively, with high selectivity toward CO2. In addition to its high performance, the bio-composite was stable for several conversion cycles, keeping the conversion activity unchanged. The study contributes to developing green hybrid materials for VOC removal, showcasing potential applications across industries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Patamia
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Fiorenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Zagni
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Sarai Agustin-Salazar
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR), University of Catania, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scirè
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Floresta
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu C, Shen Y, Wang X, Xu S, Wang J, Yong Q, Chu F. Biomimetic ultra-strong, ultra-tough, degradable cellulose-based composites for multi-stimuli responsive shape memory. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:1468-1476. [PMID: 36442569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fabrication of ultra-strong, ultra-tough, sustainable, and degradable bio-based composites is urgently needed but remains challenging. Here, a biomimetic sustainable, degradable, and multi-stimuli responsive cellulose/PCL/Fe3O4 composite with ultra-strong mechanical strength and ultra-high toughness was developed. To prepare the proposed composites, the soft poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) side chain was grafted onto the rigid cellulose backbone, then the cellulose graft copolymer (EC-g-PCL) reacted with rigid hexamethylenediamine modified Fe3O4 nanoparticle (Fe3O4-NH2) to construct the crosslinking network using MDI-50 as a crosslinker. Given by the construction of crosslinking network and the "hard" and "soft" interactive structure, the composites showed ultra-strong mechanical strength (25.7 MPa) and ultra-high toughness (107.0 MJ/m3), and the composite specimen could lift a weight of approximately 21,200 times its mass. The composites also exhibited rapid degradation ability with high degradation efficiency. In addition, the composites showed excellent thermal responsive shape memory property with a shape recovery ratio above 96 %. Most importantly, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles endowed the composites with photothermal conversion property, the composites exhibited superior NIR light-triggered shape memory capability. The EC-g-PCL/Fe3O4 composites with ultra-strong mechanical strength and ultra-high toughness have promising applications in heavy-lift, object transportation, and self-tightening knots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanwei Lu
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Institute of Chemical Industry of Forestry Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), No 16, Suojin Wucun, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Shijian Xu
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Jifu Wang
- Institute of Chemical Industry of Forestry Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), No 16, Suojin Wucun, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qiang Yong
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
| | - Fuxiang Chu
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Institute of Chemical Industry of Forestry Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), No 16, Suojin Wucun, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|